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Athens says received Turkish request for officers' extradition

Diplomatic sources confirmed on Thursday that the Greek Foreign Ministry has received a request from Ankara for the return of eight Turkish officers who fled to northern Greece on a helicopter after a failed coup in Turkey last month.

The request was forwarded from the Foreign Ministry to the Justice Ministry on Wednesday, the Greek diplomatic sources said.

A prosecutor in Istanbul had sent the request for the officers' extradition on Tuesday. The request notes that the officers, who are in custody in Greece awaiting the outcome of their applications for asylum, face charges of violating the Turkish constitution, the attempted murder of the president, and crimes against the Turkish government.

The officers have said they fear for their lives if they are returned to Turkey.